Morgan Freeman has spoken out against claims that he and his step-granddaughter are engaged.

Rumors about Freeman and E'Dena Hines began two years ago when it was reported that the two were in a romantic relationship.

Hines is the 27-year-old granddaughter of Freeman's first wife Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. Although the two are not related by blood, Freeman helped raise Hines from a young age.

The Oscar-winning actor has now decided to publicly address allegations that he and Hines have plans to wed, telling TMZ: "The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media designed to sell papers.

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"What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being picked up by the legitimate press as well."

Hines has also issued a statement saying that the stories "are not only untrue, they are also hurtful to me and my family".